Nick Kaufhold speaks with students about the importance of furthering ones education.
Artwork by Mia Nogueira
On Monday morning, January 10, 2011, Nick Kaufhold, a 2008 TJ graduate, braved the freezing weather and icy roads of Colorado to come and speak to current TJ seniors about Colorado State University and college life.
The life of a high school senior waiting to go to college is filled with questions about financial aid, classes, workload, professors, dorm life, and many other things. Third-Year CSU Student and Key Student Ambassador (KSA) Nick Kaufhold came to have a student-to-student conversation with seniors who applied to CSU. “I am a Key Student Ambassador at CSU and this entails discussing with students – especially high school seniors – that college is an option and that it is something that can increase the chance of a successful future, in which success means housing, food, and steady income. I also would say that I came not only because I am a KSA; I feel it is important to give back to the place I grew up in and show that I appreciate what I was given,” said Kaufhold.
The event was organized by Future Center College Counselor Tabitha Rocha, who chose seven students: Andrew Holt, Alexis Barber, Shauntay Larson, Breyonna Marshall, Michael Hein, Jessica Sergent, and K.C Agwu who had applied and were very interested in becoming future CSU Rams.
Rocha, who spends her time at TJ helping seniors through the long college process by filling out applications, finding financial aid, and answering endless questions, wanted the students to be able not only to hear Kaufhold speak but for it to be more conversational, with the students asking questions.
Among the many topics discussed were financial aid/scholarships, dorm life, interaction with professors, and many others. “I hope they realize how important it is to go to class regularly and get to know their professors, because of (Kaufhold) knowing his professors he’s received internships and gets to do research with his professor, which looks good on any resume,” said Rocha.
Andrew Holt, a TJ senior and a long time friend of Nick Kaufhold, finds himself trying to decide between CSU and CU. “If I do decide to go to CSU, I’m really looking forward to the KEY program. If I get into it, I know I will go very far,” said Holt.
Many other seniors at TJ are also very interested in the KEY program ,which is a three level program (Key Academic, Service, and Explore) designed to help incoming freshmen become leaders, seek out volunteer opportunities, and maintain a good GPA. Senior and soon to be CSU Ram Lauren Jorgensen said of the program, “CSU offers the KEY academics, which I feel will help me become that much more specialized in either journalism or photography.”
Along with the information about KEY, Kaufhold stressed the importance of college and education. “Students should understand that college is important. A college degree is now becoming the equivalent of a high school degree-which is not a good thing in the eyes of employers. So having a degree is great to have to fall back on,” said Kaufhold.
Clearly, Kaufhold’s visit had a great impact on TJ seniors. “I enjoyed speaking with him because he didn’t just come to promote CSU; we were able to see things from a college student’s perspective. I also learned a lot about internships and his experiences as an intern,” said Senior Alexis Barber.
Future RAMS can learn more about CSU and the KEY program by visiting their website http://www.colostate.edu/ or Rocha in the Future Center.
